Friday, November 18, 2016

WSSU: Benis' long road back has been worth it

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- Fullback Michael Benis looked around Bowman Gray Stadium during practice on Tuesday night and realized the end is almost near.

For Benis, a senior at Winston-Salem State, the reality is he won’t have too many more practices and maybe just one more game left in his career. The Rams will take on Long Island Post in New York on Saturday in a first-round Division II playoff game.

“This is a bonus, for sure,” said Benis, a Harlem native who graduated last spring with a degree in criminal justice.

Instead of getting a job in law enforcement Benis decided to take graduate classes and use his final year of eligibility. His determination to get back to the field one last time is a testament to how much he loves playing for WSSU.

Benis, a human bowling ball at 6-foot and 240 pounds, missed all of last season while recovering from a broken leg and a severe knee injury. His injury happened in spring football in 2015, and he admits it was a low time in his life.